The Subaru Forester first hit the market in 1998 as a high-sitting station wagon that combined the usefulness of an SUV with the driving characteristics of a sedan. The 2000 Forester came standard with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produced a healthy 165 horsepower and 166 foot-pounds of torque. Also standard on the 2000 Forester was power steering, and periodic inspection of the power steering fluid will help extend the life of the power steering system.
Bring the engine to operating temperature -- halfway up the temperature gauge in the instrument cluster -- by driving the Forester for several miles. Park on a level surface and open the hood. Look on the top, passenger side of the engine and find the circular canister with a removable cap near the front of the engine, this is the power steering pump reservoir. Turn the power steering reservoir cap counterclockwise to unlock it, then lift it from the reservoir and wipe the old fluid from the dipstick with a clean, lint-free cloth. Guide the cap and dipstick back onto the reservoir -- don't tighten the cap -- then remove the cap and dipstick again. Verify that the fluid level is within the crosshatched area labeled "HOT." If the fluid is low, top it off with Dexron II, Dexron IIE or Dexron III transmission fluid. Reinstall the cap and dipstick, and turn the cap clockwise to lock it.
